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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 10 · Chapter 63: Lord Kṛṣṇa Fights with Bāṇāsura
10.63.2610.63.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.63.27

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Śiva-jvarasince 10.63.25inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

नानाभावैर्लीलयैवोपपन्नै-

र्देवान् साधून् लोकसेतून् बिभर्षि ।

हंस्युन्मार्गान् हिंसया वर्तमानान्

जन्मैतत्ते भारहाराय भूमे: ॥ २७ ॥

nānā-bhāvair līlayaivopapannair

devān sādhūn loka-setūn bibharṣi

haṁsy unmārgān hiṁsayā vartamānān

janmaitat te bhāra-hārāya bhūmeḥ

Translation

With various intentions, You perform pastimes to maintain the demigods, the saintly persons and the codes of religion for this world. By these pastimes You also kill those who stray from the right path and live by violence. Indeed, your present incarnation is meant to relieve the earth’s burden.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa Responds Impartially to Everyone

  1. 1

    The Lord maintains the demigods, saintly persons and religious principles through His pastimes. His present incarnation relieves the earth’s burden.

  2. 2

    The demigods serve as cosmic administrators, while sages illuminate the path of self-realization through teaching and example. Both are dedicated to the Supreme Lord’s will.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa is impartial, yet responds appropriately to each being’s actions. He is a friend to those who serve Him in devotion and vanquishes those who live by violence.

Key points from the purport
  • The demigods and sages (devān sādhūn) are dedicated to executing the will of the Supreme Lord.
  • The demigods act as cosmic administrators, and the sages, by their teachings and their good example, illumine the path of self-realization and holiness.
  • But those who transgress the natural law, the law of God, and live by committing violence against others are vanquished by the Supreme Lord in His various pastime incarnations.

The purport's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 2

The purport of SB 10.63.27 quotesBG 9.29

As Lord Kṛṣṇa states in the Bhagavad-gītā (9.29): na me dveṣyo ’sti na priyaḥ

The purport of SB 10.63.27 quotesBG 4.11

As the Lord states in the Bhagavad-gītā (4.11), ye yathā māṁ prapadyante tāṁs tathaiva bhajāmy aham.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

How it feels

Conflict and affection → Devotional wonder. Divine intimacy coexists with royal duties.

Chapters 60–69 of Canto 10: Palace life, family bonds and heroic protection. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 63: Lord Kṛṣṇa Fights with Bāṇāsura

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

I have severed all but four of Bāṇa’s arms just to destroy his false pride, and I have annihilated his army because they were a burden to the earth. Henceforward he will be free from old age and death, and remaining fearless in all circumstances, he will be one of your principal attendants.”
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.63
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nānāvarious
  2. bhāvaiḥwith intentions
  3. līlayāas pastimes
  4. evaindeed
  5. upapannaiḥassumed
  6. devānthe demigods
  7. sādhūnthe saintly sages
  8. lokaof the world
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 10.63

    In this verse: “religion”, “religious”, “principles”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 10.63

    In this verse: “friend”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 10.63

    In this verse: “devotion”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can my actions today express a willingness to serve the Lord’s will?

Practice

Choose one interaction today in which you will avoid harming another person through your words or actions.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Responds Impartially to EveryoneThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 10.63.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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